Clifford Marvin Chappell

CLIFFORD MARVIN CHAPPELL Published • Thu, Mar 15, 2007 Clifford Marvin Chappell, 80, died Tuesday, March 6, 2007, after a valiant 10-year battle with lymphoma. Cliff was born in Denver, Colo., to Ida and Arthur Chappell. He served in the Navy and returned to complete his degree in geophysics at the Colorado School of Mines. Shell Oil hired him with the title of “computer” (someone who actually did arithmetic computations by hand) for their offshore exploration in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he met and married Rosine Joseph, his loving wife for the next 56 years.

During these exciting early years, Cliff and Rosine lived in Pueblo, Colo., Emporia Kan., Ft. Morgan and Denver, Colo. Cliff then went to work for IBM in Salt Lake City, Utah, and from there, Seattle, Wash.

Rosine finally realized her dream of living in Houston when IBM transferred him here. During the next 40 years, they traveled extensively and enjoyed life to the fullest. While at IBM, Cliff became internationally known for his expertise in array processors, a sophisticated type of computer used to facilitate oil exploration, and attained the highest rank awarded any scientist in his division.

In retirement, he kept busy bicycling with friends and keeping up with the stock market on his computer. He generously shared his prowess in that area with others. Earlier, Cliff was active in his synagogue, Congregation Brith Shalom, read for the blind and, after being diagnosed with lymphoma, volunteered for M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Cliff is survived, in addition to his wife, by his sister, Lori Chappell of Denver, Colo.; three wonderful offspring – Glen (Lori), Andrea, and Rick (Anne) – and three grandchildren, Sam, Sophia, and Jacob. Cliff always felt it was his duty to look after and protect his family. He did this job well, and they will never forget him for it.

The family especially wants to thank his dedicated M.D. Anderson doctors, particularly Dr. Jorge Romaguera, Dr. John Stroehlein and Dr. Sid Wallace.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, March 11, 2007, at Congregation Brith Shalom.